Description

Nanoparticles are viewed as the next platform for innovative medical interventions, including medical diagnosis, disease monitoring, and treatment. Current methods have shown particular promise with regards to diagnostic?targeted identification of tumor cells?and therapeutic?as vehicles for thermal ablative treatment of tumors?applications. These approaches largely rely on the presence of a qualitative threshold of nanoparticles at the treatment site for reliable diagnostic or therapeutic effect

Current quantitiative methods require prior knowledge of tumor location and invasive access by a catheter or tissue sampling for nuclear activation analysis, where the beta-decay of the gold particles is used to measure metal concentration in the tissue. Having non-invasive methods available to visualize and measure the concentration of particles can lead to better diagnosis and a quantitative basis for treatment decisions.

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a non-invasive method for visualizing and measuring metal nanoparticle concentrations in bulk tissues. Prior knowledge of tumor location is not necessary. These methods allow imaging coupled with rapid quantitation of particles that makes this method of particular use for pharmacokinetic, biodistribution, and other longitudinal diagnostic studies

Further, in treatments involving metal nanoparticles, the amount of thermal energy transferred to the tissue is directly proportional to the concentration of the nanoparticles. Application of too much thermal energy can lead to undue collateral tissue damage. The non-invasive nature of this approach makes it an attractive option for pre-treatment diagnosis and post-treatment monitoring, allowing a numerical basis for treatment decision making.

Benefits

• Low cost, avoids the expensive reactor analysis associated with Nuclear Activation Analysis
  
• Compact/mobile
  
• Noninvasive
  
• Instantaneous feedback, results are available immediately
  
• Very precise/sensitive due to combination of fluorescent and diffuse optical spectroscopy techniques
  
• Easily implemented within current technology equipment
  

Market Potential/Applications

This multifaceted invention presents immediate utilization possibilities in the areas of nanotechnology which deal with cancer detection, evaluation, and treatment. Specifically, the invention targets medical technology markets currently occupied by NAA or pure diffuse optical spectroscopy devices.

For further information please contact:

University of Texas,
Austin, USA
Website : www.otc.utexas.edu